“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” ~Anatole France
There are so many things that bring me joy in life, but the question to answer is what habit I have that brings me joy. A few of the definitions of habit by Merriam Webster include:
- A settled tendency or usual manner of behavior
- An acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary
- A behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition or physiologic exposure that shows itself in regularity or increased facility of performance
My day centers around my kitties, from the time I get up in the morning to the time I go to bed at night. My joy comes from all the little things I do to provide for them. These behaviors are my habits that bring me joy.
Cats are creatures of habit. When you live with a cat, you learn that they know you better than you know yourself. They know their habitat better than you ever will. They may not make a ruckus when a stranger comes over, but you will know when someone is in the yard who is not supposed to be there, if you pay attention.
Mornings start with breakfast. The first thing I do when I get out of bed is to put out breakfast for Walker and Monroe. They used to both jump up on the counter for breakfast. It was a feat just getting the food in the plates!
As they got older, behavior changed. These days, Walker jumps up on the counter and purrs letting me know that he expects his breakfast pronto. Monroe sits patiently staring up at me with loving eyes, “Mommy, can we have tuna this morning?” Breakfast with kitties is better than a cup of coffee.
But I get the coffee brewing anyway, then clean the litter boxes. Ewe, cleaning litter boxes is joy? Ever since they were little kittens, they have been fascinated with me cleaning the litter box. They follow me from room to room. According to Cat Daddy, you are supposed to have one more litter box than cats, so I have three in the house. After I clean, they get in a scratch – just to make sure I didn’t miss something. Their behavior gives me a morning giggle. What better way to start your day than with a giggle?
“Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet. ~Colette
I’m blessed that I can work from home. Throughout the day, one or the other will jump in my lap wanting attention. No matter what I’m doing, I stop to listen. What I’ve noticed is they usually do so when I’m getting stressed. It’s their way of telling me, it’s ok mommy, we love you.
I’ve shared my life with cats since I moved out on my own. Shadow, Hayden, Hoshi, Lilly all lived to be in their 20s.
My sorrow is that with them, I was working in an office and gone 10 to 12 hours a day, then ended up sleeping another 6 hours in the night. I had so little time to really spend with them. With Walker and Monroe, we are a pride.
“Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day.” ~John Grogam
These days, I hear a lot of talk about people’s rights and freedoms. Very few people talk about animal rights. If you’ve lived with a four-legged angel, you know this creature is a gift from God. This life is precious. You will learn the true meaning of love, trust, and faith. I may not always make the right decision, but I pray every day that God guides my decisions to be the best for my babies.
“I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being” ~Abraham Lincoln
Just for fun ….
Great post. I love kitties
I am a fond cat-lover myself. I have had one on my own back in the late ’80’s and early ’90’s (Simon, as in Simon Says, Dwain obeys 🤭), and then my Mom’s green-eyed tabby Foster I. (1996-2017), followed by our last one that passed away in 2023 Foster II, also a gorgeous green-eyed tabby. 💔
Btw, that above quote by Colette, that wouldn’t be Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette the French author-novelist, journalist, mime, and actress of the late 19th-century and the mid-20th century!!!? 😮 Yes? Maybe? (as his spine tingles and neck-hairs stand up remembering the great woman and her fantastic achievements)
Why, yes sir. Among her many works, she was the author of Gigi, a favorite movie growing up and how I learned about her. Nice to meet a fellow feline fancier.
Oh goodness! There are many female greats I adore along with Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette. First, today… Kamala Harris. 😉 And you can never forget Michelle Obama. Then there is Eleanor Roosevelt, Marie Curie, Ada Lovelace, Jeanette Scissum, and that list of scientific greats goes on and on. There’s Jane Austen, Mary Shelley, Margaret Atwood, Christiane Amanpour, and on and on. There’s Rosa Parks, Ida B. Wells, Malala Yousafzai, Daisy Bates, Susan B. Anthony, and so many more. There’s Caroline Weldon (1844–1921), Elizabeth Holloway Marston (1893–1993), and Mary Olive Berne (1904–1990), all of which I adore. 😊
So precious. Cats are amazing and fascinating creatures. So cuddly when they are ready and on their own agenda the next. Lovely post.
I had never read that particular Lincoln quote. So good. Our animal friends are so important in their own right and in their contribution towards ours. I value every creature. ❤️